THE OSMIjE. 



24: 



One of the commonest Osiiiicu is the mason bee of Reaumur 

 {Chalicodoma jnuraria). This species has a massive body and strong 

 mandibles, which have four small teeth upon them, and its name, 

 which signifies " stone house," is by no means badly chosen. The 



Chalicodoma miiraria. 

 A male in flight. A female working at her nest. A female seen inifront. 

 A completed nest. 



female mason is of a velvety black colour, and the male, which is 

 always smalkr, is clothed with a russet pubescence, the end of the 

 abdomen being black. 



Spots of earth may often be seen on walls which have a 

 sunny aspect ; they are more or less q.%^ shaped, and look like 



Q 2 



